Kwan Skates for More Than the Gold
Kwan has Gold In Reach- Tyson
Ice Queen Ready to Reign the Olympics - Ray Kang
The "Ice Queen," Michelle Kwan, has only one medal missing- an Olympic Gold. As Kwan competes in this year's Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake, Utah, there's more to Kwan than just the awards.
Kwan was born on July 7th, 1980 in her hometown of Torrance, California. She began skating at the age of five, after watching her brothers playing hockey. After witnessing the 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano acomplish his dream, Kwan knew that she would someday go to the Olympics.
Kwan's parents always made sure that she would "work hard, be herself, and have fun." This became Kwan's motto, and it definitely expressed all aspects of her skating. Kwan applied for senior status before her coach then, Frank Carrol, thought she was ready, at the age of 12 and was accepted.
Kwan spent her first few years as a senior skater behind the shadows of other American skaters, and was sent to Lillihammer, Norway, for the 1994 Olympic Games as an alternate. Should Nancy Kerrigan be unprepared, or should the USFSA force Tonya Harding withdraw, Kwan will compete.
In the 1995 Nationals, Kwan placed second to Nicole Bobek, who later earned a bronze medal in the 1995 World Championships. Kwan placed fourth that same year in the Worlds, despite skating a clean program. Kwan realized that the judges wanted to see more of a young lady than a girl.
Kwan worked long and hard on improving the artistic side of her skating. In the 1995-1996 season, Kwan unvailed her Salome program, bringing a new and exotic style to her skating. The judges and the world were in awe of her new-found maturity and beauty, and she went on to win both the National and World titles.
With several gold medals behind her, Kwan began the 1996-1997 season winning nearly all of her competitions. Kwan was deemed unbeatable. However, for Kwan, her emphasis moved from skating to winning, and under the immense pressure by her country and most of all herself, she stumbled at the Nationals, and later in the Champions series. Kwan placed fourth after the short program of Worlds, and she finally realized that skating isn't about winning, but about being an artist on ice.
The tragic death of her close friend, Harris, along with the death of Carlo Fassi and Scott Hamilton's illness, Kwan had a new perspective on her skating. She went on to win the long program, and would have won the entire event, but some of the other skaters scored higher. For her long program, Kwan skated for the true love of her sport.
The 1997-1998 Olympic Season got off to a wonderful start as Michelle competed in Skate America. She introduced a new long program, skating to "Lyra Angelica", or "Angel's Song". This presented Kwan differently- from the exotic and dramatic toned performances of the past two seasons. The program was about Kwan and her personality. She took first place in the first competition of the Olympic Season.
Things got a little rough a month or so later, when Kwan competed at Skate Canada. At the end of her program, Kwan had an unusual fall on her simple butterfly jump. Little did Kwan know that it was really a stress fracture in her left toe. Things got a little bleak for the rest of 1997. However, Michelle got back to training in small intervals, and kept herself strong off the ice. Nobody was sure of how she would be in the 1998 Nationals in the beginning of January. In this competition, Michelle had to switch some jumps and choreography around to accommodate for her pain. This meant replacing easy, but painful jumps, like the triple toe loop, with harder jumps, like the triple flip.
Washington Moves Forward in Bid for 2012 Games
Washing Looks To Capture 2012 Games- Tyson
Going Once, Going Twice, Not Exactly Sold to Washington … - Ray Kang
Washington, D.C., together with three other U.S. cities, will advance to the next phase in the bidding process of hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. The four cities that will be vying to host the 2012 Games, which are announced by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), are New York, San Francisco, Houston, and the Chesapeake region or the D.C. area.
Both residents and workers in D.C. are thrilled that the Games might be held in the city. "Hosting the Olympics is a great honor, because not many cities can do so," said Violeta Millan, a bank employee in D.C. "It will be an honor and a privilege to host the Olympics," said Anna Cataquiz, an organizational consultant in Washington, D.C.
However, hosting the Olympic Games also brings about questions of whether D.C. can accommodate the athletes and events. "The Games is a very big event, and it can cause traffic in the small area of D.C.," Cataquiz continued.
Nonetheless, according to an unnamed source in the communications department for CRC 2012, Chesapeake Region 2012 Coalition, a non-profit organization established to bid on the 2012 Olympic Games, the district has its own advantages when it comes to hosting events.
"D.C. has a very unique and excellent transportation system," said the source.
"Our mass transit does not depend on cars. We have the metro, and even the Potomac River as means of transportation."
Following the terrorist attacks, security has become more important in hosting the Games.
"I'm sure that security will be an issue, and it will be heightened. Something will be done about it," said Millan.
"Security is very important," said the unnamed source. "However, it is a very strong asset of D.C. We protect the President everyday, and we have hosted other major events and inaugurals. We will definitely continue to evaluate the security, and it is something that will be stressed on."
Nevertheless, making it to the next phase of the bidding process proves that Washington, D.C. has the ability to host the Games. Any city vying to host the Games must first submit a 630-page bid to the USOC, and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) will decide on the host city for the 2012 Olympics in 2005.
"The document includes the plans and themes proposed that will be included in the Olympic Games," said the unnamed source. "This also includes venues, infrastructure, experience in hosting events, accommodation, transportation, environment, security, and health information about the city."
The other cities in the U.S. that submitted their documents to the USOC, but will not advance to the next phase of the bid are Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Tampa.
"We are very fortunate to make it to the next phase," said Susan Linsky, the Deputy for Planning and Economic Development said. "Together with the three other cities, D.C. will go to the National bid. The USOC will decide which cities will compete internationally in October 2002."
According to the CRC 2012, there is a great possibility that D.C. will host the 2012 Olympic Games, because of several advantages.
Most of the Olympic Games have been held in a country's capital. Being the capital of the United States, D.C. is also known nationally and internationally. In addition to the constant visits of world leaders, Washington, D.C. has also hosted other events such as sailing races and marches. Over a hundred arenas and stadiums, more than forty universities and colleges, three airports, and over a hundred thousand hotel rooms are available in the Chesapeake region. Finally, the people of the area are "confirmed sports fans, and perhaps more importantly sports participants," especially with the Wizards, Capitals, Redskins, Mystics, Orioles, and DC United.
If D.C. will host the 2012 Olympic Games, it will be the fifth time for a U.S. city to host the Games since the beginning of the modern Olympics in 1896. In 1904, St. Louis was the host, in 1932 and 1984, Los Angeles, and in 1996, Atlanta. During the 1996 Olympics, a bomb was set off in the Olympic Park, which killed one person and injured hundreds others.
Due to the damage the terrorist attacks caused the country, especially New York, the issue that New York city, also vying to host the 2012 Games, might be a more appropriate host city. Hosting the Games will help the city and its people rebuild. However, hosting the Games is more than just about helping a city move on.
"In one aspect, New York is more appropriate, so as to revive the spirits of the people and to help the city rebuild. However, hosting the Olympics depends on the capability of the city in all aspects. Therefore, New York might need the opportunity to host the Olympics, but deciding the host city will not be based on that," said Cataquiz.
"D.C. was also hit by terrorist attacks, and it will also be appropriate for D.C. to host the Games. The committee will choose based on the city's capability," said Millan.
"D.C. is a world capital. Ours is the strongest in assets. D.C. is the symbol of freedom and hope, and it is very unique. It has a great story to tell," said the unnamed source.
The 2004 Olympics will be held in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympics, and in 2008, the Games will be held in Beijing.
The "Ice Queen," Michelle Kwan, has only one medal missing- an Olympic Gold. As Kwan competes in this year's Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake, Utah, there's more to Kwan than just awards.
Kwan was born on July 7th, 1980 in her hometown of Torrance, California. She began skating at the age of five, after watching her brothers playing hockey. After witnessing the 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano acomplish his dream, Kwan knew that she would someday go to the Olympics.
Kwan's parents always made sure that she would "work hard, be herself, and have fun." This became Kwan's motto, and it definitely expressed all aspects of her skating. Kwan applied for senior status before her coach then, Frank Carrol, thought she was ready, at the age of 12 and was accepted.
Kwan spent her first few years as a senior skater behind the shadows of other American skaters, and was sent to Lillihammer, Norway, for the 1994 Olympic Games as an alternate. Should Nancy Kerrigan be unprepared, or should the USFSA force Tonya Harding withdraw, Kwan will compete.
In the 1995 Nationals, Kwan placed second to Nicole Bobek, who later earned a bronze medal in the 1995 World Championships. Kwan placed fourth that same year in the Worlds, despite skating a clean program. Kwan realized that the judges wanted to see more of a young lady than a girl.
Kwan worked long and hard on improving the artistic side of her skating. In the 1995-1996 season, Kwan unvailed her Salome program, bringing a new and exotic style to her skating. The judges and the world were in awe of her new-found maturity and beauty, and she went on to win both the National and World titles.
With several gold medals behind her, Kwan began the 1996-1997 season winning nearly all of her competitions. Kwan was deemed unbeatable. However, for Kwan, her emphasis moved from skating to winning, and under the immense pressure by her country and most of all herself, she stumbled at the Nationals, and later in the Champions series. Kwan placed fourth after the short program of Worlds, and she finally realized that skating isn't about winning, but about being an artist on ice.
The tragic death of her close friend, Harris, along with the death of Carlo Fassi and Scott Hamilton's illness, Kwan had a new perspective on her skating. She went on to win the long program, and would have won the entire event, but some of the other skaters scored higher. For her long program, Kwan skated for the true love of her sport.
The 1997-1998 Olympic Season got off to a wonderful start as Michelle competed in Skate America. She introduced a new long program, skating to "Lyra Angelica", or "Angel's Song". This presented Kwan differently- from the exotic and dramatic toned performances of the past two seasons. The program was about Kwan and her personality. She took first place in the first competition of the Olympic Season.
Things got a little rough a month or so later, when Kwan competed at Skate Canada. At the end of her program, Kwan had an unusual fall on her simple butterfly jump. Little did Kwan know that it was really a stress fracture in her left toe. Things got a little bleak for the rest of 1997. However, Michelle got back to training in small intervals, and kept herself strong off the ice. Nobody was sure of how she would be in the 1998 Nationals in the beginning of January. In this competition, Michelle had to switch some jumps and choreography around to accomodate for her pain. This meant replacing easy, but painful jumps, like the triple toe loop, with harder jumps, like the triple flip.
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Title I like is: "The McLean Bulletin" -- or -- "The Correspondents"
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INTERVIEW:
Krissie Millan
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT MICHELLE KWAN?
She is an all-around skater, but I like her spiral best. She has the best spiral among all the skaters out there.
DO YOU THINK SHE WILL WIN THIS YEAR'S WINTER OLYMPICS, CONSIDERING HER RIVAL IRINA SLUTSKAYA?
Well, it will be a tough competition, but she can handle so much pressure, and she can pull it off. She has received so many awards for her skating already, and she only needs the gold medal for the Olympics.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY IS HER GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
She has won six U.S. Championships, more than anyone else in figure skating, both men and women.
WHAT FOR YOU IS THE MOST MEMORABLE ASPECT OF MICHELLE KWAN?
Her huge smile after every good skate. She is so expressive and emotional in her skating that it makes you want her to win. She also has a very good relationship with her family, and I think that that is important.
DO YOU THINK SHE WILL RETIRE AND GO TO PROS AFTER THE OLYMPICS?
I think that if she wins, she will retire. It depends on the outcome of the Olympics. She has achieved a lot, and there's really nothing more for her to prove. She might as well go on top.
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I will make an article in the style section. It will be a profile on one of the Winter Olympics athletes. My choices are: Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, Kyoko Ina, or Hans Zimmerman (all in figure skating).
-I will interview people who are fans of the chosen athlete, like my sister.
-I will also try to interview some people who are related to the athlete, I will still have to look for contact numbers of those people.
-I will also try to interview former coaches, or at least, people who know the athlete's "coaching history."
---------------------------
Washington, D.C., together with three other U.S. cities, will advance to the next phase in the bidding process of hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. The four cities that will be vying to host the 2012 Games, which are announced by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), are New York, San Francisco, Houston, and the Chesapeake region or the D.C. area.
Both residents and workers in D.C. are thrilled that the Games might be held in the city. “Hosting the Olympics is a great honor, because not many cities can do so,” said Violeta Millan, a bank employee in D.C. “It will be an honor and a privilege to host the Olympics,” said Anna Cataquiz, an organizational consultant in Washington, D.C.
However, hosting the Olympic Games also brings about questions of whether D.C. can accommodate the athletes and events. “The Games is a very big event, and it can cause traffic in the small area of D.C.,” Cataquiz continued.
Nonetheless, according to an unnamed source in the communications department for CRC 2012, Chesapeake Region 2012 Coalition, a non-profit organization established to bid on the 2012 Olympic Games, the district has its own advantages when it comes to hosting events.
“D.C. has a very unique and excellent transportation system,” said the source. “Our mass transit does not depend on cars. We have the metro, and even the Potomac River as means of transportation.”
Following the terrorist attacks, security is also a major factor in hosting the Games. “I’m sure that security will be an issue, and it will be heightened. Something will be done about it,” said Millan.
“Security is very important,” said the unnamed source. “However, it is a very strong asset of D.C. We protect the President everyday, and we have hosted other major events and inaugurals. We will definitely continue to evaluate the security, and it is something that will be stressed on.”
Nevertheless, making it to the next phase of the bidding process proves that Washington, D.C. has the ability to host the Games. Any city vying to host the Games must first submit a 630-page bid to the USOC, and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) will decide on the host city for the 2012 Olympics in 2005.
“The document includes the plans and themes proposed that will be included in the Olympic Games,” said the unnamed source. “This also includes venues, infrastructure, experience in hosting events, accommodation, transportation, environment, security, and health information about the city.”
The other cities in the U.S. that submitted their documents to the USOC, but will not advance to the next phase of the bid are Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Tampa.
“We are very fortunate to make it to the next phase,” said Susan Linsky, the Deputy for Planning and Economic Development said. “Together with the three other cities, D.C. will go to the National bid. The USOC will decide which cities will compete internationally in October 2002.”
According to the CRC 2012, there is a great possibility that D.C. will host the 2012 Olympic Games, because of several advantages.
Most of the Olympic Games have been held in a country’s capital. Being the capital of the United States, D.C. is also known nationally and internationally. In addition to the constant visits of world leaders, Washington, D.C. has also hosted other events such as sailing races and marches. Over a hundred arenas and stadiums, more than forty universities and colleges, three airports, and over a hundred thousand hotel rooms are available in the Chesapeake region. Finally, the people of the area are “confirmed sports fans, and perhaps more importantly sports participants,” especially with the Wizards, Capitals, Redskins, Mystics, Orioles, and DC United.
If D.C. will host the 2012 Olympic Games, it will be the fifth time for a U.S. city to host the Games since the beginning of the modern Olympics in 1896. In 1904, St. Louis was the host, in 1932 and 1984, Los Angeles, and in 1996, Atlanta. During the 1996 Olympics, a bomb was set off in the Olympic Park, which killed one person and injured hundreds others.
Due to the damage the terrorist attacks caused the country, especially New York, the issue that New York city, also vying to host the 2012 Games, might be a more appropriate host city. Hosting the Games will help the city and its people rebuild. However, hosting the Games is more than just about helping a city move on.
“In one aspect, New York is more appropriate, so as to revive the spirits of the people and to help the city rebuild. However, hosting the Olympics depends on the capability of the city in all aspects. Therefore, New York might need the opportunity to host the Olympics, but deciding the host city will not be based on that,” said Cataquiz.
“D.C. was also hit by terrorist attacks, and it will also be appropriate for D.C. to host the Games. The committee will choose based on the city’s capability,” said Millan.
“D.C. is a world capital. Ours is the strongest in assets. D.C. is the symbol of freedom and hope, and it is very unique. It has a great story to tell,” said the unnamed source.
The 2004 Olympics will be held in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympics, and in 2008, the Games will be held in Beijing.
------------
I have sent e-mails to: The USOC, MCI Center, and the office of Mayor Anthony Williams. So far, I have received a response from the MCI Center.
Questions:
- What are the venues that will be used if D.C. will host the Games?
- What security concerns will the city have in hosting the Games, and how do you plan to make the Games safe?
- What benefits will the city and its people have if the Games are to be held in D.C.?
- What are your comments or insights in hosting the Games?
LEAD:
Washington, D.C., together with several cities in the U.S. are competing to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The final list of the cities, which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released, includes New York, San Francisco, Houston, and the Washington-Baltimore area.
I am writing on the Main News, National News section.
SUMMARY:
I will be writing about the possibility that Washington,D.C. will be hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. I will be writing about how the decision will be made by the Olympic committee. I will include the other cities/countries that are competing to host the Games. I will also write about the importance of hosting the Summer Games, and the cost of being able to host the Games.
I am also thinking about the advantages of hosting the 2012 Olympics to the district. I am also planning to include the effects it will have in D.C. A little bit of recap on where the previous Games were held might also be included.
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The 2004 Summer Olympics will be in Greece, where the first Olympics was held over a hundred years ago.
-The best bet to host the 2008 Summer Olympics is China.
-The 1996 Olympics was held in Atlanta, U.S.A.
-Other cities that bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics are Houston, Pittsburgh, New York, Dallas, London, and Moscow.
-However, the cities in the U.S. that made the cut are Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, and Houston.
SOURCES:
Some of my sources will be from the newspaper so that I will know the developments of the competition for hosting the games. I also plan to interview a member or anyone who has connections with the committee. I also plan to interview someone in the MCI Center, and ask about the venues and other locations if Washington, D.C. will be hosting the Summer Games.
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For the article itself, it would be nice to know how much Washington D.C. can benefit from hosting. It would help the people living in D.C. area to support it.
Facts: Washington D.C. have never held an Olympic Games before.
For sources, it would be also nice to go and search through internet such as online databases.
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